amd64 is also supported for both 64FX and Opteron, via 64bit kernels, as all the drivers are built from source.

Each piece of hardware is selected and tweaked in the .config file for the kernel. Alot of distributions have auto hardware detection to get everything up and running. Editing the .config gives you total control of what gets included in the kernel and how it works.

X11

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This is the windowing system for Linux. Working with the window manager. It is included with most distributions.

Accelerated drivers are available for NVIDIA and ATI, with my preference being NVIDIA, as they have good stable native 64bit 3D drivers, where as ATI's are less stable and more difficult to install (from what I have read in these forums, as I don't have an ati card).

There are two main types, basic window managers, and complete desktops like GNOME & KDE.

Most distributions side with either GNOME or KDE, where KDE is said to be more 'Windows' like .... I find them bloated, and prefer to use just a window manager that is very fast, but still has some of the nice effects and eye candy Smile

Distro's form into three area's RPM, DEB, source (meta) distributions. Redhat based distro's use RPM's to package up their binary files, where'as Debian based distro's such as Ubuntu, Xandros, Lindows, Knoppix use DEB files.

Basically the key point for packages is 'dependencies'. When you select a package to be installed, you want all of the libraries to be installed with it, to allow it to run! Of course!

Finally the distribution ('distro')

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Distro's are all the above put together into a complete distribution ....

Personally I feel Debian based distro's such as Xandros, Libranet and Lindows are better for the first time user.

any reason why? (i'm just curious as i almost opted for it, but choose gentoo@ the end)

No real reason Gripp, except for my initial experiences with Redhat where dependencies were a headache (and a put off for people trying Linux for the first time). That has improved, so it is a viable option.

I am trying the latest Fedora on my mac mini, and it works quite well. Probably a cleaner interface than that of some of the 'debian' based distros.

I convinced a friend to try linux. He bought the Red Hat cd (i told him he didn't have to), but he wanted a manual (I told him look online). He couldn't get past the GUI install, and installing his raid card. Oh well. I forgot to tell him about Google._________________Woof, Woof! Add "[solved]" to the title! Woof, Woof!

I convinced a friend to try linux. He bought the Red Hat cd (i told him he didn't have to), but he wanted a manual (I told him look online). He couldn't get past the GUI install, and installing his raid card. Oh well. I forgot to tell him about Google.

I convinced a friend to try linux. He bought the Red Hat cd (i told him he didn't have to), but he wanted a manual (I told him look online). He couldn't get past the GUI install, and installing his raid card. Oh well. I forgot to tell him about Google.

If you had to tell him about google(or if he didtn know) how does he know about linux? Google is a much more common name than linux.

I'm joking...he knows about Google, but didn't/can't find what he's looking for with it. And the only reason he knows about linux is because I keep talking about it._________________Woof, Woof! Add "[solved]" to the title! Woof, Woof!